The episode opens with a series of interviews. Stephen Baldwin says something that was, thankfully, cut off by my TiFaux. Corbin Bernsen says that we probably remember that he was nuts last time around. Yes, both of us who watched the season do remember that, Arnie Becker. Stephen wonders why he did this. Corbin wonders why he and Stephen would be back. Stephen thinks he's a sick person. It's like I don't even have to make the jokes. Corbin muses that they wouldn't make him or Stephen The Mole, or maybe they would. Stephen says that he and Corbin must both be psychotic to do this again. Again, he's making my job easy.
Keshia yells, "Mole!", and we move to the introduction of the players. Stephen says that Dennis Rodman is "a little kooky." He thinks that Angie Everhart is a "fiery redhead." Mark Curry is "hilarious." He is? Keshia Knight-Pulliam is "too cute, too Cosby." Ananda Lewis is like Angie, but worse, because she's "off the chain." They show a quick clip of Ananda beaning someone with a ball. Stephen says that he loves Tracey Gold and wants to form a coalition with her. Stephen adds that he doesn't trust anyone, and then cracks himself up.
Yucatan, Mexico. Playa Del Carmen. A yellow taxi SUV drives down the street to the strains of "Low Rider." A sign on the taxi says, "Driver carries less than $30,000 in change," which I totally didn't get on first viewing and I was like, "Wow, that's a lot of money to carry around." I still don't quite get it, since the first game was potentially worth $35,000, but I'm sure someone on the forums will explain it to me.
Ahmad Rashad is driving the taxi. He pulls up on the beach in front of Corbin Bernsen, who is wearing a captain's hat and a black tank top. No tank tops. I don't care how hot it is. If you're not playing a sport, no tank tops. I never wanted or needed to see Corbin's chest hair, and I definitely didn't ever need to see his armpits. Ahmad and Corbin greet each other warmly. Ahmad says that Corbin was invited back because he played the game with such heart. Ahmad introduces the first game, which is called El Taxi Loco. Corbin will drive the cab and pick up his fellow players. He will be given a clue in Spanish about his first passenger, and it will include "a subtle clue in English." Ahmad says that for every person delivered back to the starting point within seventy-five minutes, Corbin will add $5,000 to the pot. Ahmad urges Corbin to stop and ask directions if he gets stuck, and then gives Corbin a taxi driver's hat in place of his captain's hat. Ahmad's final words are to make sure Corbin brings back Ahmad's friends, Carlos and Pepe. Carlos and Pepe are chickens, in a cage, in the taxi. Oh, those crazy Mexicans and their chickens! Seriously, isn't that a little bit offensive?
“ Corbin points out that Angie and Carlos have something in common: neither of them is a spring chicken. Corbin and Stephen find this hilarious. Angie points out that Corbin isn't either. So true, Angie. For the first and surely not the last time this season, shut up, Corbin. ”
Corbin gets into the taxi, and the timer begins. Corbin peels on out of there and reads his first clue, which says: "Estacion de policia This not so usual suspect." That's not even a sentence, and that clue is hardly subtle. Also, I don't even speak Spanish, and I could figure that one out. That's horseshit. Corbin immediately figures out that he has to go to the police station and pick up Stephen Baldwin. Ahmad voice-overs that Stephen holds the second clue, which can only be opened when Corbin arrives.
Corbin passes a policeman directing traffic, and realizes that he should have asked him where the police station is. Corbin yells out the window to some guy, who doesn't know where the police station is. Corbin somehow arrives at the police station and yells at Stephen to get in the car quickly. There are sixty-seven minutes left. Stephen says he's really scared now. Corbin introduces Stephen to the chickens. They read the clue, which says, "Calle Corazon Don't let this fiery heartbreaker walk all over you at Fifth between Twelfth and Fourteenth." Wow, subtle. I wonder if they can find that spot! Corbin and Stephen both realize that the fiery heartbreaker is Angie Everhart, and they take off. This would have been a lot harder if the celebrities didn't know who else was participating in the game.
Angie Everhart waits somewhere, holding an umbrella. Corbin nearly runs over some people while driving, and Stephen accuses him of having "a chemical imbalance." Stephen would know. Corbin stops, and Stephen gets out and runs around looking for Angie. He finds her quickly, and the timer lets us know that they have fifty-five minutes left. Angie opens her envelope while Corbin explains the game. Stephen yells at Corbin to introduce Angie to the chickens, so he does. Angie reads, "Estacion de television. Hanging out with this celebrity could be a spicy experience." Corbin figures out that they need to pick up Hanging With Mr. Cooper star Mark Curry at the television station. Stephen finally figures out, "'Curry,' spicy! Very good, bro!" Corbin takes off.
Mark Curry wonders what he's gotten himself into. Back in the taxi, Corbin points out that Angie and Carlos have something in common: neither of them is a spring chicken. Corbin and Stephen find this hilarious. Angie points out that Corbin isn't either. So true, Angie. For the first and surely not the last time this season, shut up, Corbin. Corbin refuses to make a U-turn, and Angie accuses him of sabotage. While Corbin tries to deny it, he spots the television station. Stephen yells to Mark to get in the back. Mark is hesitant. There's no timer on this one, so we don't know how much time they have left. Angie reads Mark's clue: "Restaurante el Hot. Not only is the food hot, but so is this celebrity, who is definitely a '10' two times over."
“ Tracey interviews that Corbin is behaving exactly the way she thought he would, based on her having watched the first season. Oh, Tracey. That wasn't the first season. And how sad for you that you think so. ”
Ahmad greets them, and asks if everyone is there. Stephen explains what Corbin told them. Corbin says that they could have picked up Tracey, but everyone else wanted to go back. Ahmad says that they got Tracey and Keshia, as the two women join the group. Ananda assures the ladies that she wanted to get them. At Ahmad's urging, Corbin explains the game. Stephen adds that they had ten minutes left and two players left to pick up, and they decided not to lose all the money. Corbin accuses Stephen of being The Mole. Ananda keeps saying that she really wanted to go get Tracey. Is Tracey mad or something? Who cares? They made some money. I think it would have been a risk to get Tracey. Ahmad asks Tracey if she's buying it, or whether she thinks The Mole sabotaged the game. Tracey interviews that she was glad they won some money, and that she doesn't feel like she has enough information to judge the timing of the whole thing. Ahmad reminds everyone that The Mole could strike at any time. Ananda responds, "Oh, The Mole done struck." Keshia agrees.
Ahmad sits the contestants down and introduces them to their journals, which will be the only place that they can write down their observations, which might help them on the quiz. Ahmad reminds everyone that the player who scores lowest on the quiz will be executed. Corbin interviews that it sounds horrible to say "executed." Ahmad emphasizes that they need to be aware of the movements of their fellow players, and of The Mole. Each player chooses a numbered journal. The camera focuses on Keshia, as she picks journal #2. Everyone begins writing. Stephen asks her which journal she chose. She turns the question around on him. Ananda says that she is #3, and Stephen says that he is #1. Mark says that he's #4. Tracey is #8. Angie says that she is #7. So Corbin is #5 and Dennis is #6, which I only know because they did a close-up of Corbin's notebook. Corbin announces that he's going to help everyone, and asks what the number of the taxi was. Ananda says that it was 151, and Corbin praises her. Tracey interviews that Corbin is behaving exactly the way she thought he would, based on her having watched the first season. Oh, Tracey. That wasn't the first season. And how sad for you that you think so. Anyway, Tracey says that Corbin pretends that it doesn't matter to him, but it does. Corbin wonders why there is one gold fish in the mural on the wall, and thinks that it might point to Tracey Gold. Tracey interviews that it will be fun to see Corbin unravel. Corbin walks over to the mural. Angie interviews that Corbin is into the game, and that he went up to the wall and smelled the paint. Stephen says that he's not denying that Corbin could be The Mole, but adds that he is saying Corbin is insane. Corbin laughs and agrees.
Ahmad says that it's time for the game. He wants the two players who consider themselves the best salespeople of the group. Stephen immediately yells, "Mark and Corbin." Everyone else quickly agrees. Ahmad says that the game is called "Artifact or Fiction." He will take Mark and Corbin into another room, where they will each choose an artifact. One artifact is real, and one is fake. They will each have a minute to convince the other players that their artifact is real. If the players correctly pick the liar, they win $10,000 for the pot. If the players pick incorrectly, they don't get any money, and the liar gets an exemption.
Corbin and Mark follow Ahmad into the room. I was confused at first as to whether or not Corbin and Mark know which one is fake, but it becomes clear that they do. Corbin chooses an artifact first, and Mark gets the remaining one. Ahmad gives them ten minutes to read the information they are given about their chosen artifact, after which they will make their pitches. Corbin picks up a huge gourd. Mark picks up a box with a rock inside, which he describes as "a phallic symbol." Ahmad voice-overs the rules again, in case you missed them.
Corbin gives his pitch first. He keeps it short and to the point, as he explains that his artifact is a gourd the Mayans used to make tequila by stuffing it with the agave plant. Mark stands up and says that his artifact is "an ancient Mayan fertility piece." He stammers through his explanation and adds way too many details. It seems like obvious signs of lying, but I was thinking that he is an actor, so maybe he could act like a liar to try psych people out.
The other players convene to make their decision. Keshia immediately says that she thinks Mark is telling the truth. Angie agrees. Keshia tries to say that Corbin is lying because when they make tequila, they use the root of the plant, not the leaves. Except Corbin never said they use the leaves. He just said "agave plant." Angie totally interrupts and tells a story about how she saw something nearly identical to Mark's piece in a shop yesterday, and the salesclerk told her that it was a fertility symbol. They joke for a minute about Mark's fertility piece. Tracey says her gut told her that Mark was lying. Ananda doesn't know, because she knows that the Mayans did make their liquor they way Corbin said they did. Angie thinks Corbin is lying, as does Keshia. Dennis thinks Mark is lying. Stephen says that they have three for Mark and two for Corbin. Stephen hasn't voted yet. Angie explains her reasoning again to Tracey, who points out that Angie could be The Mole. Tracey wants to know what Stephen thinks. He thinks it's Corbin. Dennis says he'll go with the group. Stephen counts up, and Ananda and Tracey throw their votes in with the group, and vote for Corbin. Stephen asks Angie if she's absolutely sure she saw an artifact like Mark's that represented a fertility piece. Tracey interviews that Angie's story made her switch her vote. Stephen announces that they're going to say Corbin, and as they break up, Ananda says that she still thinks it's Mark, but that she's going with the group. Stephen says that if they are wrong, they will know a lot about Mark. I love how Stephen thinks he's the Mole expert now. Ananda points out that they will know a lot about Angie as well.
“ Angie asks Dennis who he thinks The Mole is. Dennis says he doesn't give a fuck. Everyone laughs. Dennis says he's just going to make it to the final three and win all the money. I don't think Dennis quite understands this game. ”
The group reconvenes, and Ahmad asks for their answer. Stephen says that they think Corbin is lying, and Ananda looks like she wants to kill herself for following the herd. Ahmad asks the liar to reveal himself. Mark is the liar. Ahmad congratulates Mark for gaining the first exemption of the game. Everyone applauds. Mark interview that the exemption takes a lot of pressure off him. Ahmad asks why they thought Mark was telling the truth. Stephen says that two things happened in the circle to sway his vote, but doesn't say what they were. Angie tells everyone her shopping story. Ananda interviews that Angie jumped in too quickly. Angie interviews that her strategy was to make people think she was The Mole, so she made up the shopping story. Ananda interviews that they lost money because of Angie's story. Ahmad points out that Stephen let them all believe Angie's story, and didn't question it much. Ananda agrees with that.
As the players ride back to the hotel, they discuss the game so far. Stephen says that he totally knows who The Mole is, and Mark says that it's impossible to know this early. Angie says that Stephen knows because he is The Mole. She argues that he's a Baldwin, and that he wouldn't have come back again as a player. Because he's a Baldwin? Has she met Daniel and Billy? And, frankly, Alec? It's not like they are turning down jobs lately. Angie asks Dennis who he thinks The Mole is. Dennis says he doesn't give a fuck. Everyone laughs. Dennis says he's just going to make it to the final three and win all the money. I don't think Dennis quite understands this game, and if you read his "Stupid Questions" interview in the latest EW, he even admitted that he doesn't know what a Mole is.
In the other car, Corbin tells Tracey and Ananda that they should be glad they're not in the same car Stephen is, because he constantly says "dog." There's a quick montage of Stephen saying "dog" a lot, which concludes with him telling Mark, "Dog, you just drooled on yourself!" I want to know what made Mark laugh so hard that he drooled on himself.
The players arrive at the hotel and settle in. Stephen sneaks down the hallway to Tracey's room. Stephen interviews that he's not here for fun this time. He wants to figure it out, and he thinks Tracey can help him. Tracey comes out of her room, and Stephen says that, last time, he didn't think coalitions meant anything, and he was wrong. Tracey interviews that people might wonder why she went into a coalition with Stephen, but he was the only one who asked. Stephen and Tracey shake hands and look each other in the eye declaring, "I am not The Mole." Stephen says that Tracey blinked while saying it, and makes her say it again. Tracey says that if she's in a coalition with The Mole, she'll be pissed. Stephen asks who she thinks is The Mole, and Tracey turns the question around. Stephen says that he thinks it's either Keshia, Dennis, or Corbin. Tracey thought it was either Ananda or Mark. Stephen wants to know her reasoning. Tracey turns the question around again. Stephen spazzes, "Because it could be anybody!" Stephen interviews, "Tracey is scholastic -- very observant, like, cerebral. She's everything I'm not." Okay, that was funny. Stephen points out that they think opposite, so they can put their theories together and figure it out. They are interrupted by someone in the hall, and Stephen takes off while Tracey ducks back into her room. It's Mark, wandering around in the hallway. Stephen mugs for the camera about how he almost got busted while Mark makes jokes that he's got a naked woman in his room. I think Mark is drunk.
Ahmad voice-overs that Keshia is about to get a special offer in the makeup room. I thought Dennis was going to proposition her or something. Ahmad excuses the makeup lady and tells Keshia that because she picked journal #2, she will have the chance to earn money for the pot and an exemption. The game is called "Moon Over Yucatan," and only Keshia and Ahmad will know it's a game. Ahmad explains that Keshia will have to convince her fellow players to join her for a night swim after dinner, but that she can't tell them it's a game. For each player who gets in the water (submerging both feet counts), $2,000 will be added to the pot. Ahmad adds that if anyone goes skinnydipping, Keshia will get an exemption, and that she has until midnight. Keshia just smiles and doesn't say much, but agrees to take the challenge. Do you think it's weird because Ahmad used to be married to her TV mom in real life?
The contestants have dinner. Keshia interviews that it was "a very festive atmosphere." Dinner doesn't even start until 9:30 PM. Keshia interviews that dinner took a long time, as we see that it's now 10:30 PM and I don't think they've even eaten yet. Ahmad comments that it's getting late. Keshia tells everyone she doesn't feel well, and that she's going to take a walk. Ahmad says that by the time she gets back, everyone will have finished eating. Keshia asks Corbin if he wants to go with her to make sure she's not doing anything Mole-y, and Corbin says that he just wants his food. Tracey asks Keshia if she's okay, as Keshia voice-overs that she really wasn't sick, but that everyone believed her. Angie asks if she wants some Imodium, but Keshia says that she had some Tums. Keshia asks Angie to take a walk, and feigns sickness some more. Angie agrees to go.
Keshia interviews that she had to say that she was starting to feel better, and suggested a walk on the beach. Angie and Keshia walk down to the water and put their feet in, earning $4,000. Keshia yells up to the other players, asking if Mark is still up there. Keshia interviews that she decided to get one more person down to the water to earn more money. Keshia convinces Mark to join them. At first, he doesn't want to put his feet in the water, but eventually he does, earning them another $2,000 for the pot. I think Mr. Cooper is flirting with Rudy. Gross! Mark interviews that he urged the women to go swimming. Mark claims that he's going to get naked in the water. Keshia dares him. Mark interviews that the women tried to pull him into the water. Keshia interviews that she thought Mark was going to go skinny-dipping, but then Angie stepped up. Keshia doesn't want to disrobe in front of everyone, so she finds a towel and undresses there. Angie has no such qualms, and just strips. Mark watches and says that he thought Ahmad had the best job. Angie takes off her bra and panties and holds them up for Mark to see. Keshia interviews that she should get double the money for that. Mark says that they could sell this show to the Playboy Channel, and then says that he'll never watch The Cosby Show the same way again.
“ Ahmad tells the players that one of them will be leaving tonight. Dennis promises that it won't be him. Oh, go pierce something, Dennis. If you have anything left to pierce. ”
They skip a whole day, and then the players gather for dinner again. ["Maybe during that day, that game in which Ananda threw balls at people took place, because we don't see it and...well, anyway." -- Wing Chun] Ahmad welcomes them to the first execution dinner. He says that they played a game last night, and that only Keshia knew about it. Angie realizes something is up. Keshia explains her challenge. Ahmad says that Keshia earned an exemption. Angie protests that Keshia didn't even have to convince her to go skinny-dipping. And what does that say about you, Angie? Ahmad says that Keshia and Mark are both exempt from the execution, and that the pot now stands at $31,000. Ahmad tells the players that one of them will be leaving tonight. Dennis promises that it won't be him. Oh, go pierce something, Dennis. If you have anything left to pierce.
It's time for the quiz. I'm not going to go through the questions, because you can read them on the official site. Dennis thinks that either Stephen or Corbin has to be The Mole, because there's no other reason they would come back. Okay, even if one of them is The Mole, the other one came back as a player, so that reasoning doesn't make much sense. Then again, it's Dennis Rodman. Stephen is worried about Dennis, because if he is The Mole, it'll be tough to figure out. Corbin says that if Dennis isn't The Mole, he might be executed tonight, because he doesn't seem to have grasped the quiz concept. Then again, Dennis could do what Kathy did last season and just breeze through the quiz quickly and avoid execution in the early rounds that way. Ananda wonders why Angie was so persuasive during "Artifact or Fiction." Angie says that she has her eye on Keshia because she's quiet, and because when Angie asked if she was The Mole, Keshia smirked and looked away. Stephen says that Corbin is on his suspect list. Tracey is going with Keshia and Angie, but she's really not sure.
The players file in for the quiz results and execution. Ahmad welcomes them, and reminds them that Mark and Keshia both have exemptions. Ahmad sits down at the computer to enter their names randomly. He reminds them that if the screen turns green, they get to stay, but if the screen turns red, they have been executed and must immediately leave the game. Ahmad enters Stephen's name first, and the screen goes green. Stephen cheers, but then quickly goes back to his poker face. Everyone congratulates him. Angie says that the tension is awful. Ahmad types in Corbin's name and Corbin kisses a piece of wood or something that he had around his neck. The screen goes green, and Corbin and Stephen high-five. Ahmad types in Dennis's name. I don't think Dennis has any clue what is happening. The screen goes green. Mark and Stephen try to slap hands with Dennis. He hits Mark, but leaves Stephen hanging, which cracked me up. Ahmad types in Ananda's name, and the screen goes red. Bye, Ananda! She says she knew she screwed up the first question. Ahmad leads Ananda out.
During the montage of Ananda leaving, Tracey says that Ananda was playing hard and taking detailed notes. Corbin says that Ananda thought she messed up the quiz, and might not have been ready for it. Angie says, "Better her than me." Mark says he'll miss Ananda. Ahmad hugs Ananda goodbye, and Ananda does a Gollum impression out of nowhere before her car takes off. So what was up with that clip at the beginning of Ananda beaning someone with a ball? Was that a game that wasn't shown? Or does Ananda come back?
So my Mole pick is Keshia, and here's why. I think Stephen and Corbin are too obvious, and Dennis is too much of a wild card to be trusted as The Mole. That leaves Mark, Angie, Tracey, or Keshia. Keshia didn't have a chance to sabotage the first game, but the producers probably put her last on the list so that she could go really slow and prevent them from getting back in time if they got close. During the "Artifact or Fiction" game, Keshia was all ready with a story about why Corbin was lying to try to convince everyone, but then Angie jumped in with her story, and Keshia just sat back and let her do the Mole's work. Angie admitted that she made the story up to make people think she's The Mole, and I don't think she would say that if she were really The Mole. Then, in the "Moon Over Yucatan" challenge, Keshia did a horrible job. Faking sickness? How is that going to get anyone down to the water? Why not, after the first round of drinks, suggest that everyone run down to the water while they are waiting for their food? And once Angie got naked, all she had to do was broadcast that fact and everyone would have come running. That was lame. So Keshia is my pick.