The Eighth Betrayal

Previously on The Mole: Bill dropped the greasy gnome and got an exemption. Heather thought Bill did it on purpose. In the gladiator game, Al got taken out very quickly. Anderson offered Elavia $50,000 to leave the game immediately, and she took it. The other contestants were shocked, mainly because many of them thought that Elavia was the Mole.

In a series of interviews, Dorothy says that now that Elavia is gone, she's never forming another coalition. Katie says that for the first time in her life, she's at a loss for words. Bill calls the producers "diabolical." Bribs says that his mind has been blown. Al thinks that backstabbing will increase, and that every exemption will be like gold. He warns his kids watching at home that their dad may have to "do some things that aren't too nice." Like make fun of Katie because of her jelly phobia? Was that shrewd game play on his part? Oh, he was just being mean? Got it.

Anderson reminds us to look for the hidden clue to the identity of the Mole. That was a weird spot -- normally, that voice-over is inserted right after the credits. The contestants are still in Italy. Anderson voice-overs that the remaining seven players head to lunch, where they will find a valuable clue about their game. Bribs sits down and picks up a piece of paper from the table. The paper has a picture of a bunch of people holding newspapers up in front of their faces, and says, "What is missing in this picture? With love, The Mole." In an interview, Dorothy describes the clue and says that they wondered why it closed "with love." The contestants scribble notes in their journals. Bribs notes that the people's faces are missing. Anderson voice-overs that if the players discover the meaning of the clue, it could help them with their game.

Later, the players stand in a courtyard. Anderson tells them that a loved one has come to visit each of them. If they do well in the game, they will earn the right to visit with their loved one that night. They will also earn $5,000 for each visit. If they are not successful in the game, that player will not get to see his or her loved one, and no money will be earned. Anderson asks Katie to follow him to begin the game.

Anderson and Katie head up to the second floor of a building. Anderson explains that Katie will choose another player to be her eyes. Katie will describe her loved one, and the "eyes" player will have two minutes to try to pick out Katie's loved one by looking out the second-story window into the crowded town square below. If the "eyes" player is not successful, Katie does not get to spend the night with her loved one and no money is earned for the pot. Katie chooses Heather to be her eyes. Heather is brought up to the room. In an interview, Heather says that she's trusted Heather since day one. Heather gets the game explanation from Anderson. Katie's loved one is her father, Ron. Katie has thirty seconds to describe her father. She says that he's sixty, balding, wears his hat crooked, is "pregnant belly fat," big smile, talks with his hands, and Katie looks like him. Heather looks out the window into the crowded square. Heather complains that she can't see well without her glasses. In an interview, Katie says that she knew Heather wore glasses, but she thought they were for reading. Katie didn't take Heather's vision into account when she chose her; it was all about trust. Heather voice-overs that things are much sharper with her glasses. Heather points out a few candidates for Katie's dad. Anderson says that time is up and asks Heather to turn away. Heather is crying and surprise! So is Katie. Heather points out her choice to Anderson. Katie and Anderson walk to the corner of the building outside to wait for Heather's choice to approach them. In an interview, Katie says that she hopes her father will walk around the corner. Heather's choice walks around the corner and Katie says that it's not her father. She starts crying, of course. In an interview, Katie says that she felt upset, and worried that she might have a coalition with The Mole. Anderson voice-overs that Katie doesn't get to see her dad, and no money is earned. The camera closes in on the guy who is actually Katie's father, who is wearing a straw hat. Maybe Katie should have specified what kind of hat her dad wears.

Dorothy is up . She also chooses Heather to be her eyes. In an interview, Dorothy says that she thinks Heather would be able to identify her mother best, and Dorothy vaguely recalls showing a picture of her family to Heather. Dorothy describes her mother to Heather, concluding that her mother is "probably the only Asian person in the city." Heather looks out the window. She spots a younger Asian woman, and then thinks there might be another sitting at a table. Heather voice-overs that since Dorothy didn't think there would be many Asian people there, she didn't describe her mom very well. Obviously, the producers brought in some ringers. Anderson says that time is up. Heather thinks it over, upset, and chooses a woman sitting in shadow. Dorothy heads down to see if Heather chose correctly, and an Italian woman walks around the corner. In Heather's defense, the woman was sitting in the shadows and it was hard to tell what her face looked like. Heather voice-overs that she doesn't recall seeing a picture of Dorothy's mom. Dorothy voice-overs that she thinks Heather is "playing the nave card a little too much and that's always suspicious in a game like this." The camera zooms in on Dorothy's actual mom, who I don't think Heather even saw.

Katie and Dorothy sit on some steps and discuss how sad they are. Katie has the clue from lunch, and she tells Dorothy that she figured out that their loved ones are the people holding the newspapers in the picture. Katie points out her father, saying that she bought him the shirt he is wearing. So if they had figured that out at lunch, they could have provided better descriptions to the "eyes" players. Anderson voice-overs that Katie and Dorothy are realizing that "they'll both be a solo act." Katie says that it sucks. In an interview, Katie says that it helped to know that she wasn't the only one who wouldn't get to see her loved one.

Bribs chooses Darwin to be his eyes, and says that his only reservation is that Darwin wears contacts. Well, at least he has them in. Bribs tells Anderson that he's more nervous about this game than any other, because family is more valuable to him than money. Yeah, but it's not like his mother will be killed if Darwin gets it wrong. He'll see his mom eventually. It would be sad, but come on. Bribs gives the description to Darwin, and basically describes every middle-aged white woman in America. Darwin chooses some potential candidates as Bribs watches nervously. Darwin makes his final selection. Bribs waits, and his mother walks around the corner. It's his mom! Bribs gives her a big hug. Katie and Dorothy clap, and Katie says that she's happy for him but sad for herself. Bribs tells his mom that he's not sure if all of the players will get to see their loved ones, and points out Katie and Dorothy. Katie, meanwhile, is trying to convince a dog to walk over to her. The dog wanders around and then vomits a huge amount of stuff onto the pavement. Like, it's impossible that such a small dog had that much food in its stomach. Which I guess may have been the problem. Katie and Dorothy crack up over how gross it was, and Katie says that at least they got to laugh about something. Bribs and his mom walk over to Katie and Dorothy. Bribs's mom gives Katie a hug from her loved one. In an interview, Terri (Bribs's mom) says that it was nerve-wracking to think that they might not be able to see their people. Bribs asks if he's "just a people." Terri says that she's the loved one and he's the player and he needs to "get the lingo." I like Terri.

It's Bill's turn. He chooses Darwin to look for his brother-in-law. The distinguishing characteristic is a handlebar moustache. Darwin picks out a couple of candidates and then makes his final decision, and the guy does have a handlebar moustache. While Bill waits to find out if Darwin made the correct choice he says, "If it's not my brother-in-law, and he kisses me, I'm going to thump him. If it is my brother-in-law, and he kisses me, I'm going to thump him." Bill = annoying. A guy walks around the corner, and it is Bill's brother-in-law. Bill does not seem that excited to see him. Anderson voice-overs that it's not Bill's wife Shirley, but it's a happy reunion. As the two men walk away, Anderson deadpans that it was an emotional reunion. Bill asks where his wife is, and is told that she can't find her passport. In an interview, Bill says that he was shocked that his wife wasn't chosen to visit him, and he was really distraught. The brother-in-law jokes that it's his lucky day. I should say so. A free trip to Italy!

Al chooses Bribs to search for his sister. Anderson voice-overs that his wife couldn't make the trip. Al says that his sister has a face just like him. That poor woman. Bribs points out some possibilities, but complains that all of the women are turning to the side and he can't see their faces. As Al waits, he says that he doesn't think Bribs chose correctly. Al said she had sandy brown hair, and the woman that Bribs chose is a blonde. The woman walks around the corner, and Al disappointedly notes that it isn't his sister. Anderson reminds Al that they don't get any money for the pot, and that he won't get to see his sister. Al gives Bribs a hard time about choosing the wrong person. Bribs explains that he couldn't see anyone's faces, and that he doesn't think anyone would try to screw over another player on this particular game. In an interview, Al says that he can't tell if Bribs's actions were suspicious because he couldn't really tell what was going on during the choosing process, since he wasn't allowed to watch. Al tells Bribs that they have "no worries," and they shake hands.

Darwin chooses Bribs to find his wife. Bribs looks over the ladies and makes a choice. Darwin waits, and soon his wife walks around the corner. They are obviously happy to see each other. Bribs jumps in the air, because he chose correctly. Katie cries some more, or probably still. Darwin's wife asks if he's having fun, and Darwin says that it's fun and then pain, and then fun, and then stress. They smile at each other.

Anderson reminds us that Heather let down two of her fellow players, and now she has chosen Bribs to be her eyes. In an interview, Heather says that she and Bribs had a long talk about her boyfriend, Nathan, and she's shown him a picture. In an interview, Bribs says that Heather is second on his suspect list, because she told him that she wants him around, so he shouldn't vote for her. So he thinks she's lying? And who is first on his suspect list? These are questions that may never be answered. Heather describes her boyfriend Nathan to Bribs. For some reason, when she is describing him, her Texas accent becomes really pronounced. Bribs fairly quickly spots a likely candidate. Anderson and Bribs joke about Heather's description of Nathan's "piercing blue eyes." Bribs says that one guy couldn't be Nathan, because he's "totally making out with this girl." The camera cuts to Heather, looking worried, which was so fake. I'm sure she was worried that her boyfriend was making out with some Italian chick. Bribs makes his selection. Heather waits for him to appear, and Bribs was correct. Nathan hugs Heather and tells her that she looks beautiful. Al jokes that it brings a tear to his eye. Heather tells Nathan that it's been so hard because she hasn't been able to talk to anybody. Because she's The Mole! Katie cries some more. Just assume that she's pretty much been crying the whole time; I just haven't mentioned it every time they showed her. Nathan meets the other contestants. Anderson gives the camera a look like...well, I don't know exactly what it was like. It could have been like, "God, I hate all this mushy stuff." Or it could have been like, "Heather could do better." I'm not sure. Anderson announces that the pot is now up to $286,000.

Anderson apologizes to Katie, Dorothy, and Al that they did not get to see their loved ones. In an interview, Bill says that Dorothy showed little emotion; Katie cried a lot, which is normal; and Al was angry. Al tells someone that he feels bad that his sister was there and he can't talk to her. In an interview, Bill guesses that if Al's wife was there, he might have just walked over and talked to her and left the game. Too bad his wife wasn't there.

Anderson voice-overs that, later that evening, Nathan and Heather took "a little romantic detour." No, not like that. At least not in front of the cameras. They're having an intimate dinner for two. Nathan says that it's the most romantic dinner he's ever had in his life. He reaches into his pocket, then walks over to Heather's side of the table. She covers her face with her hands and starts crying. Nathan kneels and says, with tears in his eyes, "I never imagined in my entire life that I could ever love someone as much as I love you. And I am totally in love with you. So will you please spend the rest of your life with me? Will you?" Heather cries and says yes. Nathan says that the ring is a little bigger than they thought and then unveils the biggest diamond I have ever seen. Seriously. I think it threw the earth off its rotation. Small animals started orbiting it. The glare from it blinded half the population of Italy and other countries as well. Nathan somehow manages to lift up the ring and slide it onto Heather's finger. They hug. In an interview, Nathan says that Heather is the perfect woman for him, and that he can't imagine adding anything to her. Nathan adds that when you are in love, you know. Whatever. That didn't move me at all. It would have been more romantic had there been lemon garlic chicken involved.

Day 26. Lucca, Italy. Anderson voice-overs that the players and their loved ones have been separated again for a new game. Katie, Dorothy, and Al will be given a second chance to see their loved ones. Anderson points out the loved ones, gathered some distance away. The contestants wave. Anderson says that there is a total of $70,000 at stake in this game, as well as a chance to spend time with your loved one. Anderson explains that each loved one was asked if their contestant would bungee-jump. The camera pans up a huge crane with a bungee cord attached. Anderson says that if a contestant's action matches their loved one's prediction, they win $10,000 for the pot, and get to spend the rest of that day and the with their loved one.

Heather is first. Dorothy tells Darwin and Al that she knows her mother thinks she wouldn't jump, due to her fear of heights. Al says that Dorothy shouldn't jump then, because she has to match her mom's prediction. Heather thinks that Nathan said that she would jump, and she will. Dorothy is now worried that her mom would say she would jump, because of the game. Al says that only Dorothy knows her mom. Heather gets strapped into the apparatus. Nathan comments to Darwin's wife that it's really high up, and he hopes that Heather holds onto her ring, like, shut up about the ring already, Nathan. Maybe you should express some concern for the woman who will become your wife! Heather, dump that zero and get with a hero! Heather gets lifted up to the top. The operator counts down, and Heather falls backwards. She is attached by the feet, so she falls headfirst. After she gets down, she tells Anderson that it was not fun. Nathan says that he doesn't think he could have done it. Anderson and Heather watch a tape of Nathan's prediction; he thought she would, so she wins $10,000 and more time with Nathan.

Darwin goes , and takes the plunge. The other contestants die laughing for some reason. Darwin's wife is sure that he would jump, because he would do anything to win. They hug, and $10,000 more is added to the pot.

Anderson voice-overs that Al has not had the chance to spend any time with his sister, Janine. Al says that he's always wanted to bungee-jump but never thought he would actually have to do it. Janine watches through binoculars as Al is hauled up to the top. Dorothy and Katie try to spell out Al's name on the ground. Al falls, screaming the whole way, and then laughing. There is not enough money on earth to convince me to do that. Janine predicted that her brother would jump, so they are reunited. In an interview, Janine says that when they were kids, Al was the king of the family because he was the only boy. That explains a lot, actually.

Katie talks to Bribs about the potential danger of the bungee, like if she might rebound and hit the crane. That was my concern as well, but I always reason that the bungee companies don't want you to die. I hope. That would be an interesting episode of Law & Order. Maybe a guy dies while bungee-jumping. And then the detectives find out that he was having an affair, and that his mistress worked at the bungee company, so they think she tampered with the cords. But then it turns out that his wife was having an affair with the bungee operator, and she wanted a divorce, but her husband wouldn't give it to her, because he's Catholic. So she got her lover to kill him but make it look like an accident. Get me Dick Wolf on the line! Anyway.

Bill says that he's always wanted to bungee-jump, but he never thought he would actually go do it. Bill jumps and the other contestants cheer. Bill's brother-in-law predicted that he would jump, since there was money involved. $10,000 is added to the pot.

Katie asks Anderson if the impact would kill you if the bungee broke. No, Katie. Plummeting 170 feet head first into pavement wouldn't hurt that much. Anderson tells her as much. Katie thinks about it for a minute, and then adds, "A quick and painless death?" Meanwhile, Bribs takes the plunge. I get the feeling that Bribs has probably done this before. He seems the type. He screams with laughter. Bribs's mom knew that he would jump, so they win $10,000 more.

Anderson announces that they have earned $50,000 for the pot, and it's Dorothy's turn. Dorothy thinks that her mom said that she wouldn't jump, so she's not going to jump. Dorothy explains that she originally thought her mother would say no, and then second-guessed herself, but she's going with her first instinct. Anderson plays the tape, and Dorothy's mom says that she thinks Dorothy will jump. Dorothy cringes as her mom waits sadly at the edge of the pavement. Anderson tells Dorothy that she can see her mom for five minutes. I feel sad for Dorothy's mom most of all. She looked really sad. They hug and cry for a minute and then part. Dorothy doesn't seem all that upset. Aw, Dorothy's mom is cute. In an interview, Dorothy asks her mom why she thought she would jump. Dorothy also apologizes to the other players for screwing up the easiest games.

Katie is last. Anderson reminds us that she hasn't been able to hang out with her father yet. Katie says that she's scared of heights and doesn't know if she's going to be able to do it. Her dad watches and says that Katie's going to do it. Al comments that Katie will be crying the whole time, and her dad laughs. The operator tells Katie to concentrate, and Katie asks what to concentrate on. The operator seems surprised by the question and answers, "Yourself." Hee! Katie voice-overs that she's been through a lot in her life, and she can get through this. She asks for a minute. The operator starts counting down and basically pushes her off the platform. The whole way down, Katie screams, "Oh my God!" like seventeen times. Her dad cries while he's watching. Well, at least we know where that comes from. Anderson watches Katie and laughs. When Katie gets down, she asks the operator if she screamed really loud. Heh. Katie tells Anderson that it was the most amazing thing she's ever done. Anderson imitates her yelling and her accent. Anderson plays the tape and Katie's dad says that her mother would kill her, but he has faith in his daughter and thinks she'll do it. Katie starts crying (natch) and jumps up and down, and then runs off to see her dad. Anderson grins at her exuberance. In an interview, Katie says that she's learned that she should have had more confidence in herself from the beginning. Her dad says that Katie is more of a young lady than his little baby now. Aw. Dads are cute.

Anderson tells the players that they earned $60,000 in this game, and that the pot stands at $346,000. He apologizes to Dorothy that she doesn't get to spend time with her mom, but everyone else does. The players all go to dinner. In an interview, Al says that the strain of being away was starting to stress him out, so having a visit from his sister put him at ease. In an interview, Dorothy says she was disappointed that she couldn't see her mom, but that it was interesting to see the other players interact with their loved ones. Janine thinks that Al could be The Mole. Bill's brother-in-law thinks that he could definitely be The Mole. Darwin's wife doesn't think her husband could be The Mole. Katie's dad doesn't think that Katie is The Mole. Dorothy says that she's obviously not The Mole because she "idiotically screws up every single game." What does she think The Mole would do? Certainly not win games. Bill's brother-in-law doesn't think the producers would choose Bill to be The Mole, because he's the obvious choice. That's what I'm banking on. Nathan thinks that Heather could be The Mole because she's "brilliant and conniving." "Conniving"? Nice. Then again, I would consider that a compliment, so maybe Heather does, too.

It's time for the quiz. Dorothy thinks that Bill could be The Mole because he's very quiet, and often sits on the outskirts and observes. Bill says that The Mole has to make mistakes, so he can't rule Heather out. Dorothy also thinks that Bribs could be The Mole, because he keeps mentioning how nave he is. See, I don't buy that, because Bribs has had a lot of opportunities to screw up games and he hasn't done that. In fact, he has single-handedly won a couple of games. Bribs explains that he's not nave relative to the world in general, but he is in the game. Al says it was curious that Dorothy didn't jump, but that it would be a great idea to make it look like you made a personal sacrifice and at the same time, prevent money from entering the pot. One of the quiz questions asks if The Mole got a new journal yesterday, and we see footage of Dorothy getting a new journal, and then Anderson asks if anyone else feels he or she is running out of journal space.